Telegraph printer and the like



May 10, 1932. H. L. KRUM 1,857,786

TELEGRAPH PRINTER AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 16. 1929 :s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

MAM

ATTORNEY.

May 10, 1932. H. L. KRUM TELEGRAPH PRINTER AND THE LIKE 'z Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16. 1929 May 10, 1932.

H. L. KRUM TELEGRAPH PRINTER AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 16. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES- PATENT "OFFICE HOWARD L. not, mmwoa'rn. 1m DIS, ASSIGNOR TO TELETYPE COBIORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE rnmemn rnm'rna am) TEE- nrxn Application filed September 1 8, 1929. serial No. 892,804.

The invention relates to telegraphprinters and like apparatus which are operative automatically in response to signals such, for exam 1e, as those of the well-known Baudot co e, in which the characters are represented by rmutations of a definite number (usual- 1y die) of two different conditions. Such apparatus is controlled by selecting mechanism which usually comprises a set of permutation members correspondin in number to the units of the code, and w 'ch are positloned 1n difiercnt combinations in response to the code permutations. Also, to provide for both letters and figures, a case shift mechanism,

controlled by the permutation members in reonse to two s ial code combinations or signals, is usua y employed. In this way,

provision is made for two sets of characters 1 without increasing the number of selecting units of the code.

In certain classes of work it is desirable to provide for three sets of characters without increasing the number of selecting units. The

present invention provides an improved case shift mechanism for telegraph printers or like apparatus, having three or more sets or groups of type or selectable character elements. In the preferred form of the invention, the improved case shift mechanism has three positions or conditions for eifectin the operation of three different oups o type or the like, and means is provi ed which is so controlled by the permutation selector mechanism that it is efl'ective in each of three special settings of the selectors to change the case shift mechanism to a corresponding condition from either of its other conditions. The' foregoing'and other features of the invention are hereinafter more fully set forth, are illustrated in their preferred form in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

.Fig. 1 is a plan view, with parts broken 'away, of a telegraph printer with the present improvement applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a detail view in elevation of the parts shown in section on the'line 22 of Fig. 1.

to rearwardly rojecting offsets on the actu- Fig. 3 is a detail view of the parts shown in section on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detail views on the lines 4- -4, 5-5 and 6-6 respectively, of Fig. 1.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6'are detail views on the line a of Fig. 1, of the parts shown in different positions.

Fig. 7 is a detail view with parts shown in section on line 7-7 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8. is a detail 'view, with parts shown in section, of the operating or striker mechanism and the letter-space feed mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view, with parts shown in section, of a portion of the operatin or striker mechanism.

ig. 10 is a detail view, with arts shown in section, on the line 1010 of ig. 8.

The improved case shift mechanism is shown applied and is particularly adapted to a telegraph printer such as set forth in United States Letters Patent No. 1,745,633, dated Feb. 4, 1930. As shown and described in said patent, the printer is provided with a set of type bars 10 which are connected to a supporting segment 11 by a pivot rod 12, the segment being'mounted on posts which rise from a base plate 13. Toothed segments on the pivoted ends of the type bars are engaged by rack teeth formed upon the lower ends of corresponding actuating bars 14, the

"teeth being held'in mesh and the lower ends of theactuating bars guided by a segmental bar 15 mounted upon the type bar segment. Springs 16 are connected to the bar 15 and ating bars to old the latter and the type bars in normal position with the type bars engaginga segmental rest 17 and the actuating bars pressed lightly against the forward edge of a common operating or striker bar 18. The upper ends of the actuating bars extend through and are disposed in front of the forward notched edges of a set (five in number in the form shown) of segmental permutation bars 20.

The striker bar is segmental in form and is fixed to the upper end of a verticallymovable plunger 19 which is slidably mounted in suitable bearings in an upright bracket or frame member 21. The plunger and striker i -bar are operated by a bell-crank lever havin a horizontal arm 22, the end of which exten 5 within a seat in the plunger, and a vertical arm 23 provided with a roller which is engaged by a cam 24 on a vertical actuating shaft 25. This shaft is connected by intermeshin spiral gears 26 (see Fig. 1) to the shaft 0 a small driving motor 27, and is continuously rotated when the printer is in operation. A spring 22' (see Fig. 9) connected to the horizontal arm 22 of the bellcrank lever effects the upward or operating movement of the plunger or striker bar as the cam 24 is rotated. The latter is intermittently operated by the shaft through the medium of a suitable clutch (not shown) which is tripped into operation at the end of each setting of the permutation bars or selectors 20.

platen by gears 32. The platen is fixed to a i shaft 33 which is rotatabl mounted in brackets 34 an 35 projecting upwardly from the base plate. The shaft 33 extends through openings in the arms of the U-shaped bracket 29 and is free to rotate therein, but the shaft and platen shift. in axial direction with the frame to effect the printing of any one of the sets or groups of type provided upon the type bars.

A pinion 36 on the rear end of the shaft engages, in any of the adjusted positions of the shaft, w1th a long gear or pinion 37 on the forward end of a shaft 38. The latter is provided on its rear end with a ratchet wheel 39 (see Figs. 8 and 10) which is arranged to be engaged by a feed pawl 40, pivotally mounted on an operating lever 41 and spring-held in engagement with the ratchet wheel. The lever 41 is pivoted between its ends, and its upper end, which is provided with a roller, is spring-held in engagement with a cam seat 42 formed in the plunger 19.

The parts thus far described are substantially similarto those shown in the abovementioned Patent No. 1,745,633. In operation, the permutation or selector bars 20 are set in the manner set forthin said patent, or b other well-lmown means, in diiferent'combmations in response to the five selecting intervals or units of the respective code signals. Inany one setting, the notches of the bars are aligned behind the upper end of one of the selectable actuating bars 14 if a character is to be printed. At the end of each setting, the clutch controller cam 24 is thrown into operation to raise and lower the striker bar 18. In its lowermost position, it engages the inclined edges of the actuating bars 14 and slidably and a shoulder 43 thereon is so moved into- '4 the path of the striker bar that the latter shifts it longitudinall and effects the o ration of the correspon ing ty e bar 10. uring the upward movement 0 the striker bar and plun er 19, the feed lever 41 is oscillated by t e cam seat 42 and moves the feed pawl 40 backwardly over the .teeth of the ratchet 39 so that, u on the return movement of the plunger, the eed pawl serves through the medium of the gearing described, to advance the roller platen 30 one step and thereby effects the letter-space feed of the tape.

In the present printer, the type bars'are provided with three sets or groups of type 44, and the frame 29 together with the tape guide and platen are shifted to bring either the upper, lower or intermediate group of type 1nto operation. This shift is effected by a'horizontally disposed bell-crank lever 45 mounted on an upright pivot stud 46 and havin a rounded inner end which engages an 0 set 47 on the plate 48 which is connected to the frame 29 by screws 48. Preferably, as shown these screws extend through slots in the plate 48 so that the position of the latter can be adjusted. The

other arm of the bell-crank 45 is provided with a roller 49 which engages a cam 50 on a shaft 51.

It is noted that the bell-crank is in oneway engagement with the lug 47 on the shiftplaten 30 will each be held in one or the other .of its extreme positions, as shown by dotted lines in Fi 1, to permit or effect the operation of eit er the outermost or innermost group of type. By rotating the cam through degrees, either from the position shown in Fig. 4 or from that shown in Fig. 6, that is to sa in either of two intermediate positions, t e cam will hold the parts as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 5', to effect or permit the operation of the intermediate group i of type. l

Theshaft 51 upon which the shifter cam 50 is mounted is driven from the shaft 25 by intermeshing gears 53 so that 'it is continuously rotated when the machine is in operation. j The cam is keyed to a sleeve 54 which awn-rec is loose on the shaft andd-riven through the medium of a friction clutch. Three controlling stop discs 55, 56 and 57 are also keyedto the sleeve 54, being held a art by suitable spacing collars. The clutch or rotating the sleeve and the cam and stop. disks thereon,

com rises two friction disks 58 fixed to the sha t 51 adjacent opposite ends of the sleeve, and two cooperating friction disks 59 and 60, one of which is fixed to the end of thecam sleeve and the other of which is connected to rotate with the sleeve, but is axially shiftable relatively thereto. A spring 61 interposed between the clutch sleeve and disk 60 tends to hold the friction disks in en agement, so that shaft 51 tends constantly to rotate the shifter cam 50 and thereby reciprocate the shift member 45. Controlling stop dogs however, cooperate with the stop disks 55, 56 and '57 to hold the shift member 45 and the platen in one of the three operating POSI- tions thereof.

. The stop dogs 62 are mounted on a pivot shaft 63 carried by a bracket 63'. The dogs extend upwardly from the shaft 63 and are provided with hooks 64 at their upper ends which are arranged to engage projecting lugs 65 on the stop disks. The stop dogs are loose on the shaft 63, but collars 66 and a spring 67 thereon tend to exert some friction on the dogs to hold them in the position in which they are set. r

The stop dogs 62 are provided with tail pieces 68 which extend inwardly through slots in the bracket 63 and are arranged to be engaged by projections 69 on the lower ends of three selectable shift elements 70. The latter are arranged at one end of the series of selectable actuatin bars 14 which operate the type bars and l' e the actuating bars are adapted to be selected by the permutation bars 20 and be moved vertically, when selected, by the striker bar 18. Also, like the actuating bars 14, the selectable shift elements or bars 70 are normally held out of engagement with the permutation bars 20 by the striker bar 18 and springs 16 normally hold the bars 70 in lowermost position and serve to effect their engagement with the permutation bars when the striker bar 18 is raised. The shift bars or elements 70 are guided in their movement by the segmental bar 15 and by rollers 71 mounted on the pivot rod 12.

Thus, when the permutation bars are positioned in response to any one of three special shift signals to select one of the shift elements or bars 70, the vertical movement of the latter effected by the striker bar 18 will move the corresponding controller or stop dog to its operative position. Meansis also provided whereby the shift of any one of the stop dogs 'or controllers to operative position will serve to move either one of the other stop dogs to its inoperative position. For this each pivotally mounted midwaybetween their ends upon the bracket 63' with the ends of the levers disposed above the tails 68 of the sto dogs or controllers. These interlocking evers will obviously prevent the positioning of more than one stop dog in operative-position. One of the stop dogs is always in position to permit the operation of one of the groups of type, but to change from such oug to another, one of the other dogs is se ecte and shifted to operative position as described. When so selected and shifted to operative position, it will, through the medium of the levers 72 and 73, release whichever of the other dogs is in operative position and permit the rotation of the shifter cam 50 until it is arrested. by the selected dog. Preferably, the stop disk 56 which, when engaged by its dog, holds the platen in position to effect theoperation of the intermediate group of type, is provided with two stop lugs 65 and, as stated, the cam 50 is so shapedthat in either of two positions substantially one-half revolution apart, it

will hold the platen in its intermediate position. With this arrangement, the case shift mechanism permits the change from any one of the three groups of type to either of the others by a single operation and tion mechanism. It will also be noted that as -response to asingle setting of the permutato change from the intermediate group to the faces of the hooks 64 on the stop dogs are disposed slightly above a horizontal plane ex-. tending through the, axis of the shaft 51, and these faces are disposed in planes which are substantially radial with respect to such axis.

For this reason and because the friction clutch tends to constantly rotate the cam 50 and the stop disks, the engagement of one of the lugs 65 with the hook of one of the stop 'dogs, tends to hold and maintain the latter in its operative position, and it is so maintained until one of the other stop dogs is selected and shifted to operative position in response to the corresponding setting of the permutation bars.

It is also desirable to revent the operation of the letter-space feed during any change in the case shift mechanism. For this purpose, the shift elements or bars 70 are provided with inwardl extending pro'ections 74 at their lower on which extend neath onabail76w bail extends beneath one ments is selected and operated,the bail 75 rocked and the latch 81 is moved by its spring a ainst the lower end of the feed lever 41. Tien, when-the plunger 19 is lifted, it will swing the lever 41 as described to move e feed dog back idly over one tooth of the ratchet 39, but such shift of the lever will permit the engagement of the lugs 80 so that the feed lever will not return to normal position to effect the feeding movement of theratchet 'wheel, since the lugs. 80 are so shaped as to hold the latch and lever interengaged. However, the nextoperation of the plunger in effecting the operation-of one of' the type bars.

will shift the lever 41 slightly so that the finger 78 on the bail will disengage the latch 7 9 and permit the feeding movement of the dog 40 when the plunger 19 returns to normal position.

, Obviously, the improved case shift mechansim is a plicable to other types of apparatus, and c anges may be made'without'departure from the scope of the appended claims. v

I claim as my invention:

1. In a telegraphic receiving apparatus, a plurality of devices to be selectedarranged 1n groups, more than two, shift mechanism havlng a corresponding number ofcondltlons to predetermine the group to be selected, a set of independently movable permutation selectors adapted to be positioned in different combinations in response to received signals to'select the individual devices of the predetermined group, and meanscontrolled by each of certain special settings of said selectors for changing said shift mechanism to a corresponding condition from any of its other conditions.

2. In a selector mechanism for telegraphic receivers and the like, the combination of a plurality of selectable devices arranged in groups, more than two, a shift mechanism having a corresponding number of conditions to predetermine the group to be selected, and arranged to be maintained in any one condition during repeated selections of the corresponding group, a set of independently movable permutation selectors arranged to be positioned in diiferent'combinations and in certain settings to select the devices of the predetermined group, and means controlled by each of certain other settings ofsaid permutation members for changing the shift r tions of sai mechanism to a corresponding condition from a plurality of any of its other conditions. 3. In aselector mechanism,

selectable devices arranged in a set of independently movable permutation members arran ed to be positionedin different combinations, and, 1n each of certain three groups,

settings to selectone device in each group,

three shift elements, one for each group selected by certain other special settings 0 a saidselectors, of said shift elements for changin the mechanism from either one of two con itions to a third condition and thereby confine the selec-' tions to the devices of the corresponding 4. n a telegra h printer, type printing means, case shi mechanism therefor including three selectable elements, means, in-

and means controlled by each cluding a shift controller individual to and a selectively controlled by each of said elements, for changing the printing means from either of two conditions to a third condition, and selecting means adapted to respond to received signals for controlling the operation 9 of the printing means and said selectable shift elements.

5. In a telegraph printer, a case shift mechanism having three conditions for selecting a corresponding number of type groups, controlling selector mechanism and means controlled b each of three different operaselector mechanism for changing the shiftmechanism to a corresponding condition from either of its other two conditions, said means including a'set of three selectable shift controllers, a selected one of which is maintained in operative condition.

6. In "a selector mechanism for telegraph printers. and the like, the combination of three grou s of devices to be selected, a case shift mem er having three positions in which it isoperative to predetermine the group of devices to be selected, three shift controlling elements, a set of independently movable permutation members adapted to be positioned in different combinations for selecting said devices and said elements, and means, including a shift controller individual to and selectively controlled by each of said elements, for moving said shift member to one operative position from either of its other positions.

7 In a selector mechanism for automatic printers and the like,-three groups of selectable devices, -case shift mechanism having three controlling devices for placing and maintaining the shift mechanism in any one of a corresponding number of different conditions to predetermine the group to be selected, a set of permutation selectors, and means controlled by each of three different settings of said selectors for effecting the operation of the corresponding controller and for disabling the other two controllers.

8. In a selector mechanism for automatic '45 devices operative and for disabling the the like, three groups of selectable devices, case shift mechanism havi three controlling devices for placing an maintaining the same in any of a corresponding number of difierent conditions to predetermine the group, to be selected, selectable actuators individual to said controllers, and means operated by each controller actuator for disabling either of the other controllers. 9. In a selector mechanism for telegraph printers and the like, a set of permutation members adapted to be positioned in different combinations, in response to received signals, a plurality of character determining elements and three case shift elements selectivel controlled by said set of permutation mem ers, a case shift member and three printers and controllers for maintaining said shift memstop devices-for arresting and holding sai ber in a correspondmg number of different operative positions, each of said selectable shift elements being arranged to effect the operation of one of said controllers and. disable the other two.'

10. In a selector mechanism for telegraphprinters and. the like, a set of permutation members adapted'to be positioned in different combinations in response to received signals, a plurality of character determining elements and three case'shift elements selectively controlled by said set of permutation members, a case shift member, means tending to move said member, and three controlling member in a correspondin number of operative positions, each of said selectable shift elements being arranged to render one of said stop devices operative and disable the other two.

11. In 'atelegraph'printer or the like, a. case shift member, means constantly tending to move said member,'a set of three stop devices for arresting and maintaining said member in a corresponding number of different operative positions, and selective meansv for rendering any one of said stop other two.

12. In a telegraph printer or the like, a case shaft mechanismincluding a rotary actuating member, and cooperative stop devices for arresting said member in different positions to place and maintain the shift mechanism in different operative conditions, and means for selectively operating said stop devices. 3

13. In a telegraph printer or the like, a set of controlling permutation selectors, a case shift member, a rotary actuating device for said shift member, means constantly tending to ,rotate said actuating member, and stop ping means selectors for arresting said actuating device to thereby place and maintain said shift member in a plurality of operative positions.

14. In a telegraph printer or the like a'set 16. In a telegraph controlled by said permutation of controlling permutation selectors, a case shift member, arotary actua' cam for said member, means constantly ten to romember in,"

printer or' the like, a

a set of permutation members selectively controlling said elements, a reciprocating case shift member, a rotating actuator constantly tending to move said case shift member, and a plurality of stops selectively controlled by said permutation members and cooperating with said rotary actuator to arrest, and maintain said shift member in; corresponding operative positions.

printer or the like, a

plurality of character etermining elements;

a set of permutation members selectively controlling said elements, a reciproca case plurality of character determining elements,

shift member, ,arotary cam constantly tends ing to reciprocate said case shift member, a set of three stops cooperatingwith said cam to arrest said shift member in corresponding operative positions,- and means controlled by said permutation members for selectively rendering and maintaining one of saidst ops ops erative and the others inoperative; a

17. Iii a telegraph printer'or the like, a

.case shift member, a rotary. cam and a springcooperating to reciprocate said member, motor-driven means constantly tending to rotate said cam, and sto 'pingmeans for arresting said cam and selectlvely pacing said shift member in a plurality of operative positions.

18. In a telegraph printer or the like, a

case, shift member, a rotary, motor-driven cam for reciprocating said member, two stops for arresting said cam and said member with the latter in operative position at or adjacent the ends res ectively of its path of movement, a thir stop for arresting said cam in two difierentpositions with said member in an intermediate operative position, and means for selectively operating said stops.

19. In atelegraph printer orthe like, a case shift mechanism, a rotary, motordriven actuator for said shift mechanism,a

set of three steps for arresting said actuator to place and maintain said shift mechanism a in corresponding operating conditions means for selectively operating said stops, an means actuated by the operation of each stop for moving either of the other stops to inoperative position.

20. a telegra h printer or the like, a purality of selectable actuating and shift con trolling elements, a setof permutation members for selectingsaid elements for operation,

a l'etter-space feed, an actuator for the selected element and said letter-space feed, a case shift mechanism, a separate actuator qtherefor controlled by said shift elements,

and means actuated by said shift elements for preventing the operation of the letter-space mechani sm responsive. to. received code 21: In a telegraph receiver, a case mechanism including a setof three shift controllers, each arranged, when operative, to

position and maintain the case shiftmechanism in one of a corresponding numberv of different conditions,;means for selectively effecting the operation of any one of said controllers and means effective upon such operation for rendering either of the other two controllers inoperative.

22. In a telegraph receiver, a case shift mechanism includinga set of at least three shift controllers for positioning the shift mechanism in any one ofa corresponding number of different conditions, means for selectively effecting the operation of an one of said controllers and for maintaining t e same in o erative condition until the o eration of anot er of said controllers is e ected, and means effective, upon the operation of an one ofsaid'controllers, to return either 0 the other previously selected controllers to in'- operative condition.

23. In a telegraph printer, three groups of type, a paper platen having an impact surface common to all of said groups and normally maintained in one of three, different positions to effect the operation of one group, a selector mechanism responsive to received code combinations of impulse conditions, and three shift controllers operative, under control of said selector mechanism, to effect the shift of said platen directly from ony one of its threepositions to either of the other two in response to a sin le code combination.

24:. In a telegrap printer, three groups of type, a paper platen having an impact surface common to all of said groups, a selector combinations 0 impulse conditions, and means controlled thereby for effecting the shift of said platen directl three positions to either of thereb bring its impact surface into cooperative re ation with a selected ig)roup of t HOWAR L. KR

from any one of the other tw'oiin I response to a. single code combination and" 

